Roy Hodgson has been cleared to attend Crystal Palace training sessions and will also likely be allowed to be present at matches despite concerns over his age.

Palace had been concerned that, due to talks that people over the age of 70 would have to obey stricter lockdown rules amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the 72-year-old Hodgson would have to stay away from training and, potentially, the remaining season's fixtures.

However, the seasoned manager will be allowed to take the Eagles' training sessions when they restart on 18 May.

FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-CRYSTAL PALACE

According to the Daily Mail, Hodgson is very keen to take charge of Palace's return to training. He had previously expressed a desire to ensure that the current season be completed, stating: “We don’t want artificial means of deciding who wins the league, who gets into the Champions League, who gets relegated and promoted."

Should Palace return to training on their planned date of 18 May, the team will initially train in small groups with the aim of getting back to full fitness as they adjust to their first formal training sessions in over a month, with tactical work seen to be of less importance.

The returning players and staff will also be subject to regular medical examinations and will also be required to undergo two COVID-19 tests a week.

As of the season's postponement on March 13, Crystal Palace sit in 11th place, 12 points clear of the relegation places and four points off the Europa League places, with either the cancellation or the resumption of the Premier League unlikely to adversely affect them.

Hodgson is widely seen to have done a commendable job at Selhurst Park since taking charge in 2017, consistently leading them to solid, mid-table finishes in spite of minimal spending at the club.